Travel Guides

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

The Sultan Ahmet Camii, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, with
its tiers of magnificent domes and six graceful minarets is one of
the most striking and immediately distinguishable structures on the
Istanbul’s skyline. Constructed as an Islamic rival to the
Hagia Sophia in 1609, it is one of the finest examples of Ottoman
architecture and is still used by hundreds of worshippers. The
interior is splendidly decorated with thousands of blue and white
Iznik tiles embellished with traditional Ottoman flower
patterns, and it is this special feature that gives the mosque its
name. Its design of successively descending smaller domes, soaring
columns and 260 stained glass windows leaves a lasting impression
of graceful accord and open space. At the back of the mosque is a
Carpet and Kilim Museum exhibiting antiques from all over
Turkey.

Address: Hippodrome, Sultanahmet

Telephone: (212) 518 1319 or (212) 518 1330 (for museum information)

Transport: Sultanahmet tram stop

Opening times: Open daily, access restricted during prayer times, especially at midday on Fridays. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm

Admission: There is no charge for visiting the mosque, but the museum has a small entrance fee